The Indian Men’s Hockey team scripted history, as they won the Olympic bronze medal for the second consecutive time in the Olympics. The Indian hockey team has been one of the finest teams in the world of international hockey, as they defended their medal tally from the Tokyo summer Olympics held four years back in 2020.
India was led by Harmanpreet Singh in the Paris Olympics Field Hockey event, as they first defeated the mighty Aussies in a group stage match, ending a long one-sided rivalry of over 52 years.
India emerged as one of the most legendary teams in the history of the Olympics, as they next defeated Great Britain in the quarterfinals to enter the semis. This effort was largely praised by many legends and even countrymen as they entered the competition for a medal.
Men’s hockey is the most successful event that has been the best for the Olympic medal race, as the Indian men’s hockey team since the start of the Olympic games has won 8 gold medals last year, a silver, as well as 3 bronze medals, with the last two in the previous two editions of the Olympic games in 2020 and 2024.
However, in the semi-final, India faced Germany, the team they had defeated in the bronze medal match back in Tokyo four years ago. They ended the scoreline 5-4 against the Germans in a fearsome game last time; however, the Germans had their revenge as they secured a victory against India 3-2 in the semis of Olympic 2024.
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India could not advance into the finals and rather featured in a bronze medal match against Spain, whom they had defeated several times before. First lacking behind in the scoreline, the Indian skipper pulled back the game, as Harmanpreet scored twice, first in the ending minutes of the second half.
While he extended the lead with his opening-minute goal in the third half, the Indian defence and later a 10-man India side and the stunning legend PR Sreejesh held their nerves to take India to a nail-biting Olympic bronze medal. The legend, the man the myth, Sreejesh, retires from the game after a splendid career that is now adorned by two Olympic medals as well. Though his retirement still remains under the radar.
